Apparatus for dipping tubes, bars, and the like



Oct. 29, 1946. u w EVANS 2,410,023

APPARATUS FOR DIPPING TUBES, BARS, AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 16, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .2). W. TlTI/ 29, I946. D.W. T. EVANS 2,410,023

APPARATUS FOR DIPPING TUBES, BARS, AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 16, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct 29, 1946 APPARATUS FOR DIPPING TUBES, BARS, AND THE LIKE David William Thomas Evans, Sutton Coldfield,

England, assignor to T.

I. (Group Services) Limited, Birmingham, England Application August 16, 1943, Serial No. 498,831 In Great Britain September 1, 1942 2 Claims. (Cl. 51163) This invention has for its object to provide improved apparatus for use in pickling, washing or analogous dipping operations on tubes, bars and the like, the apparatus being of the type in which a number of articles to be treated are carried on the bight of a chain or chains or other flexible member or members (herein termed a flexible carrier) adapted to lower and raise the articles into and out of a bath or other receptacle with a relative rolling or tumbling action.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an end eleva tion and a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention for use in the pickling and washing of metal tubes.

In carrying the invention into effect as shown, I employ a framework a consisting essentially of two main frame-like arms I), adapted to form an L-shaped structure. This framework it is provided with trunnions d at the junction of its arms b, c, that is to say, at the angle of the L, and is pivotally supported on a horizontal axis by fixed bearings as e which accommodate the trunnions. The bearings e are located between a pair of baths 7 arranged parallel with each other, the one bath containing pickling solution and the other Water. The framework a is adapted to be swung about its pivot axis through 90", so that when in one extreme position one of its arms 2), 0 lies horizontally over one of the baths f, the other arm being upright, and when in the other extreme position the previously upright arm lies horizontally over the other bath, and the previously horizontal arm is upright. In the drawings the framework it is shown in one of its extreme positions with the arm b upright and the arm 0 horizontal, the arm I) being also shown in broken lines in Figure l in the horizontal position it assumes when the framework is moved to its other extreme position. Movement of the framework (1 from either of its extreme positions to the other is effected by means of a worm wheel segment 47 secured to one or each of the trunnions d, the segment being engaged by a worm h which is driven by an electric motor 2 or other convenient source of power.

At the outer end of one or each of the arms 12, c is mounted a longitudinal shaft :i-having secured on it a drum or drums k to which is attached the adjacent end of a flexible carrier m for the tubes as n to be treated, the carrier being formed by a chain or chains or other flexible member or members. When only one shaft 1' is employed the remote end of the flexible carrier m 2 is attached to the arm I) or c remote from the shaft. The intermediate portion of the flexible carrier in forms a bi'ght or loop on which the tubes n can be placed. Lowering and raising of the tubes 12 into and out of the bath beneath the bight is effected by rotation of the shaft or shafts 7'. During such movements the tubes n move relatively to each other with a rolling or tumbling" action which ensures exposure of the whole of the surfaces of the tubes to the bath liquid. When a shaft :i is provided on the outer end of each of the two arms 22, c of the framework, the tumbling motion can be imparted to the tubes 11 while immersed independently of a raising or lowering motion by rotating both shafts simultaneously, raising or lowering of the tubes n being effected by rotation of one or both of the shafts. Actuation of the shaft or one of the shafts :i is effected by an electric motor 0 or other convenient source of power through a reduction gear p which in the example shown is connected to the shaft by chain-and-sprocket mechanism. This mechanism comprises a chain q connecting a sprocket 1' driven by the gear p to a second sprocket s, and another chain t connecting a third sprocket u to a fourth sprocket v on the shaft 7', the second and third sprockets being formed integrally with each other or secured together in coaxial relationship, and being freely mounted on one of the trunnions d. The other trunnion d may be used for supporting like parts of a similar mechanism adapted to actuate the other shaft 7' when two such shafts are employed, so that the two shafts are independently operable. Alternatively any other convenient mechanism or mechanisms may be used for actuating the shaft or shafts 7'.

In carrying out a pickling operation, the framework a is swung about its pivot axis so that one of its arms b, c occupies its horizontal position over the bath 7 containing the pickling solution. The tubes 11 are now loaded on to the bight of the flexible carrier m, and by rotation of the shaft 1' (or one or both of them when two are employed) the tubes are lowered into the bath beneath. After the pickling operation the flexible carrier m is moved in the reverse direction for raising the tubes 11. out of the pickling bath to the original upper position. The framework a is now swung through so as to bring the other of the arms b, 0 over the bath 1 containing water. In this movement the tubes n move laterally from the position over the pickling bath to a position over the water bath. The tubes are now lowered into the water. After washing the tubes are again raised, and by continued action of the shaft 1 which actuates the flexible carrier m, the latter is caused to assume the position shown in chain-dotted lines in Figure 1, so that the tubes roll off the carrier on to a deck or other support (not shown) arranged at one side of the water bath 1. Alternatively the tubes may be removed by a crane. Subsequently the framework a is swung back into its initial position over the pickling bath in readiness for the next operation.

Whilst for most purposes the arms b, c of the framework a are most conveniently situated at 90 to each other, the invention is not restricted to this detail, as the angle between the arms, and also the angle through which the framework is rotatable may be varied to suit different requirements. Also instead of actuating the framework a electrically it may be actuated by any convenient hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical means,

By this invention I am able in a very convenient manner to facilitate and expedite the handling of tubes, rods or the like in pickling and washing operations. The invention may also be used in other industrial operations, such as galvanising in which it is required to lower and raise the articles into and out of a bath or other receptacle.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the type specified for dipping tubes, bars or like articles, and having in combination a flexible carrier for the articles to be treated, a framework on which the carrier is mounted to provide an Open bight for accommodating the articles to be treated, movable means through which at least one end of the carrier is supported on the framework and by which the said end can be moved relatively to the other end of the carrier for varying the depth of the bight to elevate or lower the articles, and means whereby the framework is pivotally supported so that it can be swung into different positions for transporting the articles from one position to another.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the framework comprises two main arms arranged at an angle to each other, and is pivoted at the junction of the arms on a horizontal axis, the open bight of the flexible carrier being situated between the outer ends of the said arms.

DAVID WILLIAM THOMAS EVANS. 

